Pentecostalism is a renewalist religious movement within Christianity that places special emphasis on the direct personal experience of God through the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Pentecostalism is an umbrella term including a wide range of different theological and organizational perspectives. As a result, there is no central organization or church which directs the movement. Within Pentecostalism there are two major groups, Trinitarian Pentecostals and Oneness Pentecostals. However, many Pentecostals also consider themselves part of broader Christian groups. For example, Pentecostals often identify as Evangelicals. Furthermore, many embrace the term Protestant, while others the term Restorationist. Pentecostalism is also theologically and historically close to the Charismatic Movement, and some Pentecostals use the two terms interchangeably.
Examples of Trinitarian Pentecostal denominations include the Church of God in Christ (COGIC) and the Assemblies of God. Examples of Oneness Pentecostal denominations include the United Pentecostal Church International (UPCI), Pentecostal Assemblies of the World (P.A.W). It is estmated that of the world's 2 billion Christians, a quarter are Pentecostals or Charismatics. |
